The desire to memorialize a treasured pet has created a growing number of products, such as picture frames engraved with a pet’s name, decorative urns, and even coffins made to hold a pet’s remains. As the category continues to grow, so too have the host of unusual memorial options now available to consumers.

Where once only plaques and generic statuary prevailed, dozens of new products and technologies are poised to take center stage.

Custom SoilCremated ashes have chemically inert properties. One manufacturer has found a way to turn pet ashes into nutrient fertilizer, unlocking its potential as super food for the garden. For owners who wish to scatter their pet’s ashes in a favorite spot in the garden, the resulting plants and flowers that grow there can now offer a lasting, beautiful memory.

Precious GemstonesCutting-edge technology, used to create gemstones in a laboratory setting, is now being employed to immortalize lost pets. Tiny particles of a pet’s ashes can be used to color zircon gems, which are then polished and set into rings and necklaces. Many other independent jewelry makers are also putting small locks of hair or pet ashes in custom glass jewelry as a way to preserve a lasting memory of a cherished loved one.

CD SlideshowsThe ever-popular CD slideshow, set to music and played at many human occasions, now makes the perfect method of preserving lasting memories of pets gone by. Several companies now specialize in taking consumer photos and converting them to meaningful movies that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Glazed PotteryRather than putting a pet’s ashes into an attractive piece of pottery, consumers now have the option of making a vase or other functional ceramic item directly from their remains. Pottery makers now offer custom glazes, made from ashes, that are used to decorate tasteful items for use in the home.

Laser EtchingLasers are forever – at least when used to etch an image of a favorite pet into solid granite or marble. High technology is now more approachable than ever to most consumers looking to immortalize their beloved pets. Detailed images, which appear as clear as photos, can now be forever set in stone. <HOME>

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